Gentoo Archives: gentoo-security

[gentoo-security] gmonstart / jvregisterclasses in tons of binaries with commands,malware?

Date:

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:04:41

Message-Id:

N1B-IFB_T1CDMm@Safe-mail.net

In linux binaries, in any linux distro, I've discovered the same strings
which I believe may be due to a virus or trojan.
Yet, clamav, rkhunter, chkrootkit do not detect abnormalities.
Whether I run 'strings' on the binary files or view with vim or gedit, here
is what is always seen inside the binaries:
__gmon_start__
_Jv_RegisterClasses
Followed by commands which differ within each binary.
If, by some luck, I've downloaded a fresh Linux ISO where binaries do not
include the above two strings followed by commands, after I run an update
the updated binaries suddenly contain the above two strings and other, what
I believe to be, rogue strings. I've avoided the possible infection with an
OpenBSD install, yet all the Linux installations and burned ISOs contain
binaries with the above two strings followed by commands.
Search using find within your bin and sbin directories for those two strings
and see how many positives you find. Now use a text editor like vi or gedit
and search through the gibberish, locate these strings and isolate the
commands, if any, which follow them. Searching for gmonstart, gmon,
registerclasses, jv, etc. variations of works. If you find results in your
binaries, please copy/paste the commands following the gmonstart and
jvregisterclasses strings so I may compare them to mine.
I've purchased Linux CDs from brick + mortar stores, downloaded ISOs from
different physical locations and found some CDs contained these strings
in the binaries and one or two rare ones did not, but when installed/updated
on a network connection the binaries replaced in the update process would
show these strings!! These strings are not alone by themselves in the
binaries they follow with commands with a @ mark before each command.
Google results are vague, some suggest shell backdoors, every Linux user
I've asked to date calls me paranoid while at the same time this knowledge
comes as a surprise to them, too, when they search their binaries and find
the same strings. I'm amazed by how quickly some rush to judgement and call
you a paranoid for being curious about the files on your system. The strings
may/may not be common, but in comparing commands which follow these strings
I've noticed some which seem down right malicious!
Maybe they're right, I'm just paranoid, but what am I seeing and why
are these strings so common across Linux distros binaries, esp. the
Jv (java?) reference? Please, any help?